5 workplace deaths reported in San Antonio in 2017

OSHA records: San Antonio companies with worker deaths from January 2009-May 2015.

OSHA records: San Antonio companies with worker deaths from January 2009-May 2015.

Photo: (c) STUDIO BOX

Photo: (c) STUDIO BOX

Image
1of/49

Caption

Close

Image 1 of 49

OSHA records: San Antonio companies with worker deaths from January 2009-May 2015.

OSHA records: San Antonio companies with worker deaths from January 2009-May 2015.

Photo: (c) STUDIO BOX

5 workplace deaths reported in San Antonio in 2017

1 / 49

Back to Gallery

On Feb. 3, an employee working for Aramark Food Services at the Bexar County Jail was tasked with unclogging food sink drains underneath the kitchen.

After he exited the confined space he sat on a bucket and struggled to breathe. He collapsed and suddenly died, according to the Department of Labor. The medical examiner's office later discovered the man had a pre-existing health condition that may have flared up with the respirator he was wearing.

The incident is one of five San Antonio workplace deaths that were reported to the United States Department of Labor in 2017 and 37 since June 2009.

All workplace deaths are required to be reported to the Occupational Safety and Health Administration, part of the labor department. The department investigates the deaths and decides whether or not citations are required.

The investigation found Aramark did not deserve a citation related to the fatality, though three of the five 2017 deaths did, according to the records.

The most standard citations issued by the department are for fall protection, hazard communication procedure, scaffolding requirements and respiratory protection, according to OSHA's website.

Click through the slideshow to see workplace deaths in San Antonio in recent years.

Fares Sabawi covers crime in San Antonio and Bexar County for mySA.com. Read more of his stories here. | fsabawi@mysa.com | Twitter: @FaresInSA